By Muhammad Mamman
Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has revealed that closely following newspaper reports has long been a daily habit for him, admitting that intense media scrutiny during the early days of his administration influenced some of his initial reactions to criticism.
Speaking on his relationship with the press, Tinubu said he rarely begins his day without reviewing national newspapers, describing the routine as something of an “addiction”.
“There’s no morning I leave my house without going through the papers; it was an addiction. I read all of you,” the president said, referring to journalists and media organisations covering his government.
Tinubu acknowledged that the barrage of criticism and scrutiny from the media at the start of his presidency contributed to what he described as a stubborn stance during the early phase of his administration.
“I was a bit stubborn at the beginning of the administration because the heat was on from the papers,” he added.
The remarks highlight the pivotal role the Nigerian media continues to play in scrutinising government policies and holding leaders accountable, particularly during the early stages of an administration when public expectations and political tensions are often at their peak.
